Aeronautical Terms beginning with N

Nacelle

A streamlined enclosure on an aircraft in which an engine is mounted. On multiengine propeller-driven airplanes, the nacelle is normally mounted on the leading edge of the wing.

Negative Static Stability

The initial tendency of an aircraft to continue away from the original state of equilibrium after being disturbed.

Net Weight

The weight of the aircraft less the weight of any chocks or other devices used to hold the aircraft on the scales.

Neutral Static Stability

The initial tendency of an aircraft to remain in a new condition after its equilibrium has been disturbed.

Nickel-Cadmium Battery (NiCad)

A battery made up of alkaline secondary cells. The positive plates are nickel hydroxide, the negative plates are cadmium hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide is used as the electrolyte.

Normal Category

An airplane that has a seating configuration, excluding pilot seats, of nine or less, a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less, and intended for non-acrobatic operation.

Normalizing (Turbonormalizing)

A turbocharger that maintains sea level pressure in the induction manifold at altitude.